Unity Day (Ukraine)
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The Unity Day (Ukrainian: День єднання України, romanized: Den yednannia Ukrainy) is a state holiday in Ukraine held annually on 16 February 2022, per the Decree of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.[1][2][3]
In the months prior to the 24 February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine 16 February 2022 was predicted in Western media as the day Russia would invade Ukraine.[1] As a skeptically response to these foreign media reports Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on people to fly flags and sing the national anthem of Ukraine on this 16 February.[1] Zelenskyy's presidential decree that established the holiday stated that the holiday was established "To strengthen the consolidation of Ukrainian society, strengthen its stability in the conditions of the growth of hybrid threats, information, and propaganda, moral and psychological pressure on public consciousness...",[a] according to the Decree of the President of Ukraine "On urgent measures to consolidate Ukrainian society" dated 14 February 2022 No. 53/2022.[4] Meanwhile United States officials stated they were not predicting an assault ordered by Russian president Vladimir Putin on a specific day, but repeated warnings that this order could come at any time.[1] According to a report by CNN on 16 February 2022 celebrations of the holiday were muted, with some events around the country only attended by a handful of people, flags large and small were flying on many street corners.[5]
On the morning of 24 February 2022, Putin announced Russia's invasion of Ukraine (calling it a "special military operation"), Russian troops moved into Ukraine and Zelenskyy declared martial law.[6] Russia apparently intended to rapidly seize the (capital of Ukraine) Kyiv quickly, with Spetsnaz infiltrating the city, supported by airborne operations and a rapid mechanised advance from the north. Russian Airborne Forces attempted to seize two key airfields near Kyiv, launching an airborne assault on Antonov Airport,[7][8] This Russian Kyiv offensive failed and by April 2022 Kyiv Oblast was liberated from Russian troops while the war continued.[9]
The 'Unity Day'-holiday continues to exist.[2] Although no specific traditions were formed over the years, Ukrainian cities and towns raise the national flag and perform the national anthem.[2]
Notes
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Ukraine president calls for 'day of unity' for Feb. 16, day some believe Russia could invade". Reuters. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- 1 2 3 "Unity Day 2024: a holiday story on the eve of the war and beautiful greetings". UNIAN (in Ukrainian). 16 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ↑ "Зеленський започаткував День єднання 16 лютого 2022 року, який називають днем російського вторгнення в Україну". Interfax-Ukraine (in Ukrainian). 2022-02-14. Archived from the original on 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2022-02-15.
- ↑ "Указ Президента України від 15 лютого 2022 року N 53/2022 «Про невідкладні заходи щодо консолідації українського суспільства»". Office of the President of Ukraine (in Ukrainian). 2022-02-15. Archived from the original on 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2022-02-15.
- ↑ "We are not afraid": Kyiv marks a "Unity Day" in the face of feared conflict". CNN. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ↑ "Ukraine conflict: Russian forces attack from three sides". BBC News. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ↑ "Battle Underway for Airbase on Kyiv Outskirts". Moscow Times. AFP. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
- ↑ "Russia claims to take control of Hostomel airport just outside Kyiv". The Times of Israel. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
- ↑ "10 years of war: A timeline of Russia's decade-long aggression against Ukraine". The Kyiv Independent. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.